Adjustable two-legged stilt with catch mechanism

ABSTRACT

A two-legged stilt includes a support frame, a foot platform, and a base. The support frame includes first and second parallel leg supports, each having upper and lower sections that are coupled and slide relative to one another whereby a length of each leg support may be varied. The leg supports are pivotably mounted to foot platform and the base for canting of the stilt. Each leg support includes a spring-biased catch that secures the respective leg support sections against relative movement, whereby the length of the leg support may be fixed. A release member is operatively connected to each catch for controlling adjustment of the lengths of the two leg supports while the stilt is worn.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, each of: Novara U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/594,256, filed Mar. 23, 2005; and Novara U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/596,772, filed Oct. 20, 2005. Theentire disclosure of each of these patent applications is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and of othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records,but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, it is known to provide a stilt that enables a person toundertake construction in high places that otherwise would be hard toreach without vertical assistance. A representative conventional stiltis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,586 to Lin, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Another conventional stilt similar to that of Lin, and sometimesreferred to as a “dry wall stilt,” is shown in FIG. 1. The stilt of FIG.1 comprises a support frame, a foot platform, and a base, all of whichform a generally parallel, quadrilateral structure with the supportframe forming the sides and the foot platform and the base respectivelyforming the top and bottom. The support frame includes a first legsupport and a second leg support positioned in parallel relation to thefirst leg support. The first leg support has a first upper leg supportsection coupled with a first lower leg support section. Similarly, thesecond leg support has a second upper leg support section coupled with asecond lower leg support section. The upper and lower leg supportsections are coupled such that relative movement may occur there betweento provide for varying lengths of the leg supports and, therefore,varying heights of the stilt.

Connecting plates, a center pin, and external spring members arearranged on the support frame to provide for canting of the supportframe. Such canting allows a person using a pair of stilts to walkrelatively naturally and comfortably while wearing the stilts.

The upper and lower leg support sections have openings formed thereinfor receipt of a catch device to fix the length of the leg supports andsecure the upper leg support sections against movement relative to thelower leg support sections. Conventional catch devices include a boltand a screw. With a conventional stilt as shown in FIG. 1, a user mustremove the stilt before adjusting the lengths of the leg supports.Unfortunately, such manual length adjustment is cumbersome and timeconsuming.

In addition, stilts are known that provide for adjustment of the heightof the stilts while the stilts are used, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,063discloses such a representative stilt. However, such stilts do notinclude canting of the leg supports relative to the foot platform andthe base such that a person using the stilts may experience more naturalmotion when walking or otherwise moving while wearing the stilts.Rather, the leg supports of each such stilt are mounted in fixeddisposition relative to the base and foot platform and, thus, provide arigid movement similar to the sensation of walking on blocks mounted tothe soles of one's feet.

Accordingly, it is believed that it would be advantageous to have atwo-legged stilt similar to that of FIG. 1, but in which the lengths ofthe leg supports can be adjusted “on the fly” while a person is usingthe stilt.

Additionally, a conventional two-legged stilt as shown in FIG. 1includes a calf support that is mounted to the support frame and whichextends vertically from support frame in a direction away from the base.The calf support is disposed adjacent one side of the foot platform sothat the calf support extends adjacent the side of a leg of a personusing the stilt. It is believed that it would be advantageous to providea stilt having a calf support that extends adjacent the back of the legof the person wearing the stilt rather than to a side of the leg of theperson wearing the stilt. It is believed that such a stilt may providefor a more comfortable or natural feel during use of the stilt. Itfurther is believed that such a stilt may reduce a torque that otherwisearises in conventional stilts during walking, especially since the upperportion of the calf support typically is secured to the side of the legby a band or other attachment member in such conventional stilts.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. A stilt thatembodies one or more such aspects or features includes a support frame,a foot platform and a base that, collectively, generally form aparallelogram. The support frame comprises a first leg support having afirst upper leg support section and a first elongate lower leg supportsection. The first upper leg support section is coupled with the firstlower leg support section for movement relative there between, whereby alength of the first leg support may be varied.

The support frame further comprises a second leg support positioned inparallel relation to the first leg support and having a second upper legsupport section and a second lower leg support section. The second upperleg support section is coupled with the second lower leg support sectionfor movement relative there between, whereby a length of the second legsupport may be varied.

The foot platform receives and supports a foot of a person for use ofthe stilt. The first upper leg support section is connected to the footplatform for rotational movement about a first upper pivot axis. Thesecond upper leg support section is connected to the foot platform forrotational movement about a second upper pivot axis, the second upperpivot axis being disposed in parallel relation to the first upper pivotaxis. The base engages and supports the stilt upon a floor. The firstlower leg support section is connected to the base for rotationalmovement about a first lower pivot axis. The second lower leg supportsection is connected to the base for rotational movement about a secondlower pivot axis, the second lower pivot axis being disposed in parallelrelation to the first lower pivot axis, the first upper pivot axis, andthe second upper pivot axis.

In an aspect of the invention, a two-legged stilt in accordance with theaforementioned construction further includes a design that enables aperson to adjust the height of the stilt “on the fly” while the stilt isbeing used. With respect to this aspect, a feature of the stilt includesa spring-biased catch that secures the first upper leg support sectionagainst movement relative to the first lower leg support section,whereby the length of the first leg support may be fixed. Moreparticularly, the stilt preferably has a catch that comprises a rod andthe first upper leg support section and the first lower leg supportsection include corresponding openings through which the rod extends tosecure the first upper leg support section against movement relative tothe first lower leg support section. In a preferred embodiment, thefirst upper leg support section and the first lower leg support sectioninclude a plurality of corresponding openings through which the rod mayextend to fix the length of the first leg support at differentrespective lengths.

In another feature of this aspect, the two-legged stilt includes a firstcatch movable between: (1) an engaged position, in which the first catchsecures the first upper leg support section against movement relative tothe first lower leg support section, whereby the length of the first legsupport is fixed; and (2) a disengaged position, in which the firstcatch does not secure the first upper leg support section againstmovement relative to the first lower leg support section.

With further regard to this feature, the two-legged stilt also includesa second catch movable between: (1) an engaged position, in which thesecond catch secures the second upper leg support section againstmovement relative to the second lower leg support section, whereby thelength of the second leg support is fixed; and (2) a disengagedposition, in which the second catch does not secure the second upper legsupport section against movement relative to the second lower legsupport section.

In accordance with this feature, the two-legged stilt further comprisesa release member that is movable between first and second positions, therelease member being operatively connected to the first catch for movingthe first catch between the engaged and disengaged positions withmovement of the release member between the first and second positions,and the release member further being operatively connected to the secondcatch for moving the second catch between the engaged and disengagedpositions with movement of the release member between the first andsecond positions. Preferably, the release member is operativelyconnected to a catch via a cabling system that includes one or morepre-tensioned, jacketed cables.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, a two-legged stilt inaccordance with the aforementioned construction further includes adesign in which a calf support extends adjacent the back of the leg ofthe person wearing the stilt rather than to a side of the leg of theperson wearing the stilt.

In another aspect of the invention, each leg support of a two-leggedstilt in accordance with the aforementioned construction furtherincludes spring members for biasing of the leg support section apart.The spring members preferably comprise compression springs.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a two-legged stilt in accordancewith the aforementioned construction further includes internally locatedspring members that serve to bias the two-legged stilt into arectangular configuration in which the two leg supports extend generallyorthogonal to the base and foot platform. The spring members preferablycomprise torsion springs, each disposed at a coupling of a leg supportsection to either the base or the foot platform. The two-legged stiltoptionally may not include external spring members (such as thoseillustrated in FIG. 1).

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherincludes the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects, features, embodiments, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionwith reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional stilt;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stilt in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of the stilt of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are side cross-sectional views of the stilt of FIG. 2taken along the line 3-3;

FIG. 4A and 4B are side cross-sectional views of an alternativeembodiment of the stilt of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3, whereincompression springs are included within the leg supports;

FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of a release member in an engagedposition;

FIG. 5B is a side perspective view of the release member in a disengagedposition;

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the stilt of FIG. 2 wherein acalf support is disposed adjacent a back end of a foot platform;

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate a stilt in accordance with another preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate various views of an exemplary torsion spring ofthe stilt of FIGS. 7-10; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a torsion spring located within the stilt of FIGS.7-10 at a coupling of an upper support leg section to the foot platform.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likecomponents throughout the several views, the preferred embodiments ofthe present invention are next described. The following description ofthe preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a stilt 10 in accordance with thepreferred embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a sideelevation view of the stilt 10 of FIG. 2A. The stilt 10 comprises asupport frame 12, a foot platform 26, and a base 32, which together forma generally parallel, quadrilateral structure with the support frame 12forming the sides of the quadrilateral structure and the foot platform26 and the base 32 forming the top and bottom, respectively. Connectingplates 33, a center pin 35 and spring members 37 are arranged on thesupport frame 12 to provide for flexible canting of the support frame12.

The support frame 12 includes a first leg support 14 and a second legsupport 20 positioned in parallel relation to each other. The first legsupport 14 has a first upper leg support section 16 that is coupled witha first lower leg support section 18. Similarly, the second leg support20 has a second upper leg support section 22 that is coupled with asecond lower leg support section 24. The upper and lower leg supportsections 16, 18 and 20, 22 in each leg support 14, 20 are coupled suchthat relative movement may occur there between to provide for varyingheights of the leg supports 14, 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the leg support sections 16, 18,20, 22 is tubular. Each of the leg support sections 16, 18, 20, 22 hasopposed sides and opposed ends, each of the sides being of greaterlateral extent than each of the ends. It will be apparent to theOrdinary Artisan that other non-tubular constructions may be utilizedfor the leg support sections 16, 18, 20, 22. In particular, any shapethat allows for relative movement between the corresponding upper andlower leg support sections 16, 18 and 20, 22 may be used. For example,the leg support sections may be channel-shaped.

In the present embodiment, the lower leg support sections 18, 24 arereceived within the respective upper leg support sections 16, 22 forrelative movement there between. The leg support sections 16, 18, 20, 22are arranged such that each of the first leg support sections 16, 18 hasa side that faces a corresponding side of each of the second leg supportsections 20, 22. Such sides may be referred to hereinafter as the “innersides.”

The foot platform 26 is preferably a flat, plane-like structure that isgenerally rectangular in shape with opposed ends and opposed sides. Oneend of the platform 26 is particularly adapted for receiving the heel ofa user's foot and will be generally referred to hereinafter as the “backend,” while the opposed end of the platform 26 is particularly adaptedfor receiving the toes of the user and will be generally referred tohereinafter as the “front end”. A toe strap 66 with a toe strap buckleis preferably installed on the front end of the foot platform 26, and anankle strap 68 with an ankle strap buckle is preferably installed on theback end of each foot platform 26. The foot platform 26 also has a heelrest 70 disposed at its back end.

The first upper leg support section 16 is connected to the foot platform26 at or near its back end by a connection member 39 that provides forrotational movement about a first upper pivot axis 28, which is formedat the connection point between the first upper leg support section 16and the foot platform 26. It will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisanthat any connection member 39 that allows for rotational movement aboutthe pivot axis 28 may be used to connect the first upper leg supportsection 16 to the foot platform 26. Suitable examples may include, butare not limited to, a screw, a pivot pin, and the like. The second upperleg support section 22 is similarly connected at or near the front endof the foot platform 26 for rotational movement about a second upperpivot axis 30. The second upper pivot axis is preferably substantiallyparallel to the first upper pivot axis 28.

The base 32 engages and supports the stilt 10 on the floor. The base 32is generally rectangular in shape with opposed ends and opposed sides. Aback end corresponds with the back end of the foot platform 26 and afront end corresponds with the front end of the foot platform 26. Thefirst lower leg support section 18 is connected to the base 32 at ornear the back end of the base 32 by a connection member that providesfor rotational movement about a first lower pivot axis 34. Similarly,the second lower leg support section 24 is connected to the base 32 ator near the front end of the base 32 by a connection member thatprovides for rotational movement about a second lower pivot axis 36. Thesecond lower pivot axis 36 is preferably substantially parallel to thefirst lower pivot axis 34, the first upper pivot axis 28 and the secondupper pivot axis 30.

A tubular calf support 54 having a proximal upper end and a distal lowerend is mounted to the first upper leg support section 16. From the firstupper leg support section 16, the calf support 54 extends generallyupwardly in a direction away from the base 32. Further, the calf support54 is preferably disposed adjacent one side of the foot platform 26 sothat the calf support 54 extends adjacent the side of a leg of a personusing the stilt 10. A calf strap or calf strap assembly 72 is mounted atthe proximal upper end of the calf support 54 for releasably fixing thecalf support 54 to the leg of a person using the stilt 10.

A release member 48 is mounted near the proximal upper end of the calfsupport 54. The release member 48 may be connected to the calf support54 in any manner that allows for movement of the release member 48between at least a first position and a second position. In theillustrated embodiment, the release member 48 is a lever pivotablyconnected to the calf support 48 with a bolt 51.

One housing 64 is mounted to the inner side of each of the upper legsupport sections 16, 22. The housings 64 may have a three-dimensionalbox-like shape with a first end and a second end, four sides, an outsidesurface and an inside surface. The housing 64 of the first leg support14 and the contents thereof will be described herein. In the presentembodiment, the housing 64 of the second leg support 20 and the contentsthereof are the same as that of the first leg support 14. However, itwill be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan that the housings 64 and thecontents thereof do not have to be the same for the first and second legsupports 14, 20.

The first end of each housing 64 is open and is mounted to a respectiveupper leg support section 16, 22. Each housing 64 encloses aspring-biased catch 38, which is utilized to control the relativemovement between the first upper leg support section 16 and the firstlower leg support section 18. Each catch 38 is movable between anengaged position, wherein the catch 38 secures a respective upper legsupport section 16, 22 against movement relative to the correspondinglower leg support section 18, 22, and a disengaged position, wherein thecatch 38 does not secure the respective upper leg support section 16, 22against movement relative to the corresponding lower leg support section18, 24.

The second end of each of the housings 64 is connected to one end of aflexible jacket 46, which extends away from the housing 64 and isconnected at its other end to a mounting platform 57 located near therelease member 48. A portion of each of the flexible jackets 46 extendswithin, and is sheathed by, the calf support 54, which has openingsformed therein for receiving and releasing the flexible jackets 46.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are fragmentary side cross-sectional views of thehousing 64 of the first leg support 14 of the stilt 10 of FIG. 2A, takenalong line 3-3. As is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the catch 38 includes arod 40 as well as a spring 41 disposed between the rod 40 and the secondend of the housing 64. The spring 41 biases the rod 40 to move betweenthe engaged and disengaged positions. A first end of a pre-tensionedcable 44 is inserted into the second end of the housing 64 and isthreaded through the spring 41 and connected to the rod 40 forfacilitating movement of the rod 40 between the engaged and disengagedpositions. As shown in FIG. 2A, a second end of the pre-tensioned cable44 is connected to the release member 48. A user may exert additionaltension on the cable 44 to actuate the rod 40, thereby compressing thespring 41 and moving the rod 40 from the engaged to the disengagedposition. If the user releases the additional tension from the cable 44,the spring 41 biases the rod 40 to move to the engaged position.

The pre-tensioned cable 44 is disposed in concentric relation within theflexible jacket 46. Although the jacket 46 substantially encloses thecable 44, because the jacket 46 is connected to or retained against thehousing 64 and the cable 44 is connected to the rod 40, the jacket 46and the cable 44 are capable of independent movement relative to oneanother.

As shown in FIG. 3A and 3B, the first lower leg support section 18 has aplurality of openings 42 formed at spaced intervals along the inner sidethereof. The first upper leg support section 16 has a similar opening 42formed in the inner side thereof. The openings 42 of the first lower legsupport section 18 and the openings of the first upper leg supportsection 16 are formed and arranged such that they may be aligned.

The rod 40 of the catch 38 is sized such that it may be snugly insertedinto the openings 42 of both the first upper leg support section 16 andthe first lower leg support section 18. The position whereat the rod 40is inserted through the openings 42 is defined as the engaged position(shown in FIG. 3A), and the position whereat the rod 40 is removed fromthe openings 42 is defined as the disengaged position (shown in FIG.3B).

When the catch 38 is in the engaged position, the length of the firstleg support 14 is fixed. When the catch 38 is in the disengagedposition, the first upper leg support section 16 may move in relativesliding relation to the first lower leg support section 18. Theplurality of openings 42 in the first lower leg support section 18provides several options for varying the length of the first leg support14, starting with a relatively shorter length if an opening 42 near thebase 32 of the stilt 10 is utilized for engaging the rod 40 and movingto increased lengths as openings 42 incrementally farther and fartheraway from the base 32 are utilized to engage the rod 40.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are fragmentary side cross-sectional views of thehousing 64 and an upper portion of the first leg support 14 of FIG. 2A,taken along the line 3-3, showing an alternative embodiment wherein acompression spring 59 is disposed within the first upper leg supportsection 16. When the catch 38 is in the engaged position, thecompression spring 59 is neutralized. When the catch 38 is in thedisengaged position, the compression spring 59 exerts a force on thefirst upper leg support section 16 biasing the first upper leg supportsection 16 to move in a direction away from the floor, i.e., in adirection that increases the length of the first leg support 14.However, it will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan that having acompression spring 59 disposed within either upper leg support section16, 22 is not necessary to facilitate varying the length of therespective leg support 14, 20 of the stilt 10.

FIG. 5A is a detailed perspective view of the release member 48 in theengaged position. FIG. 5B is a detailed perspective view of an upperportion of the calf support 54, showing the release member 48 in thedisengaged position. In the present embodiment, the release member 48 isa rectangular lever having opposed ends, opposed sides and opposedplanar faces. One end of the release member 48 is inserted into anelongate opening 49 formed in the calf support 54 for receipt of therelease member 48. The elongate opening 49 has a top and a bottom end. Abolt 51 connects the end of the release member 48 disposed within theelongate opening 49 to the calf support 54. Near the opposite end of therelease member 48, a pair of projections 53 extends outwardly inopposite directions from the opposed faces of the release member 48.Intermediate the two ends of the release member 48 is a connection screw55. The connection screw 55 connects the two pre-tensioned cables 44 tothe release member 48. It will be apparent to the Ordinary Artisan thatany connector that provides a fixed connection may be utilized toconnect the pre-tensioned cables 44 to the release member 48.

The mounting platform 57 is located adjacent the bottom of the elongateopening 49. The flexible jackets 46 terminate at the mounting platform57; therefore the mounting platform 57 is the location where the cables44 cease to be enclosed within the flexible jackets 46. Further, themounting platform 57 has two openings through which the cables 44 arethreaded such that the cables 44 may be connected to the release member48. When the release member 48 is disposed near the bottom end of theelongate opening 49, the catches 38 are in their engaged positions. Whenthe release member 48 is disposed near the top end of the elongateopening 49, the catches 38 are in their disengaged positions.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the calf support 74 is disposed adjacentthe back end of the foot platform 26 so as to extend adjacent the backof the leg of a person using the stilt 10.

In operation, a person using the stilt 10 of the present invention mayadjust the length of the leg supports 14, 20 of the stilt 10 whilewearing the stilt 10. Typically, a person will be using two stilts 10 atone time, one being worn on each foot. In this scenario, the length ofthe leg supports 14, 20 will be adjusted one stilt 10 at a time. Thus,when a user wishes to adjust the length of the leg supports 14, 20 ofone of the stilts 10, the user places the predominant load of his weighton the stilt 10 that will not be adjusted. This movement frees the otherstilt 10 to be adjusted.

In order to effectuate such adjustment, the user moves the releasemember 48 from the engaged position to the disengaged position. When therelease member 48 is moved, a force is exerted on the cables 44 therebyincreasing the tension in the cables 44. In turn, the cables 44 exertenough force on the rods 40 to overcome the bias of the respectivesprings 41, thereby permitting removal of the rods 40 from the openings42 of the upper leg support sections 16, 22 and the lower leg supportsections 18, 24. The lower leg support sections 18, 24 and upper legsupport sections 16, 22 are then capable of movement relative to oneanother. A user may move the upper leg support sections 16, 22 toincrease the length of the leg supports 14, 20 or to decrease the lengthof the leg supports 14, 20. When the leg supports 14, 20 have reachedthe desired length, the user may then move the release member 48 back tothe engaged position. Moving the release member 48 to the engagedposition releases the increased tension that was created in the cables44 upon moving the release member 48 to the disengaged position. Inturn, the force exerted on the rods 40 is released, and the rods 40 areinserted through the corresponding openings of the upper leg supportsections 16, 22 and the lower leg support sections 18, 24.

In the embodiment wherein the rod 40 of the catch 38 is spring-biased, auser does not have to engage the release member 48 at a point whereatthe openings 42 of the upper leg support sections 16, 22 are directlyaligned with the openings 42 of the lower leg support sections 18, 24.Rather, the springs 41 will cause the rods 40 to be inserted into theopenings 42 of the upper and lower leg support sections 16, 18, 22, 24when such openings 42 become aligned.

In the embodiment wherein a compression spring 59 is disposed within theupper leg support sections 16, 22, a user does not have to exert a forcein the direction away from the floor to increase the length of the legsupports 14, 20. Rather, the compression springs 59 will exert a forcethat causes the upper leg support sections 16, 22 to move in a directionaway from the floor when the release 48 is moved to the disengagedposition. Correspondingly, when a user wishes to decrease the length ofthe leg supports 14, 20, the user will have to exert some force in thedirection of the floor to overcome the force of the compression spring59.

Another stilt 110 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIGS. 7-10. Notably, this stilt 110 includes acalf support 115 that is disposed adjacent one of the ends of the footplatform 120 so as to extend adjacent the back of a leg of a personusing the stilt 110. Also, as will be apparent from FIGS. 7-10, the calfsupport 115 extends coaxially relative to the leg support 125 and issecured in fixed disposition relative to the upper leg support sectionof the leg support 125. Indeed, the calf support 115 of the stilt 110preferably comprises an extension of the upper leg support section 135and the calf support 115 and the upper leg support section 135 may beintegrally constructed.

The stilt 110 also includes elastic members in the form of compressionsprings 145,150 for biasing apart lower leg support sections 155,160(shown in FIG. 10B) and upper leg support sections 135,140 of respectiveleg supports 125,130. The compression springs 145,150 are shown in FIG.10B, wherein a first compression spring 145 is located internally withinthe upper leg support section 140 and tends to bias the lower legsupport section 155 away from the foot platform 120, and a secondcompression spring 150 is located internally within the calf support 115and tends to bias the lower leg support section 160 away from the footplatform 120. In this respect, the lower leg support section preferablyextends within not only the upper leg support section 135 but alsowithin the calf support 115 where it abuts the second compression spring150. The lower support sections of the stilt 110 hence are not of equallength.

Additionally, the stilt 110 includes one or more torsion springs.Various views of an exemplary torsion spring 165 are shown in FIGS.11A-11D. Each torsion spring preferably is located remotely to eachother and, preferably, are located at the coupling of each leg support125,130 to the foot platform 120. Exemplary illustrations of torsionsprings located at the couplings of upper leg support sections 135,140to the foot platform 120 are collectively illustrated in FIGS. 9B, 10B,and 12. The torsion springs collectively bias the leg supports 125,130;the foot platform 120; and the base 170 into a generally rectangularconfiguration in which the leg supports 125,130 extend generallyorthogonally to the foot platform 120 and the base 170. The torsionsprings further are internally disposed within the leg supports 125,130and foot platform 120.

Like the stilt of the preceding figures, the stilt 110 of FIGS. 7-10each includes a spring-biased catch mechanism 175 that secures the upperleg support sections 135,140 against movement relative to the lower legsupport sections, whereby the length of the leg supports 125,130 may befixed at one of a plurality of different lengths. To illustrate avariation of the catch mechanism of the stilt of FIGS. 1-6, however, inthe spring-biased catch mechanism 175 of FIGS. 7-10, the cables 180 ofthe cabling system (shown in FIG. 7, but omitted in FIGS. 8-10 forclarity) do not extend within a leg support 125,130 or calf support 115but, instead, extends along the outside of, and are secured to, the legsupport 125 and calf support 115 by a plurality of fasteners 185. Whilethis variation leaves the cables 180 subject to snagging, this variationobviates the need to design a conduit system within the leg support125,130 and/or calf support 115 that permits the relative movement ofthe components of the stilt 110 without interference by internallyrouted cables 180.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

1. A stilt, comprising: (a) a support frame, comprising, (i) a first legsupport having a first upper leg support section and a first lower legsupport section, the first upper leg support section being coupled withthe first lower leg support section for movement relative there between,whereby a length of the first leg support may be varied, and (ii) asecond leg support positioned in parallel relation to the first legsupport and having a second upper leg support section and a second lowerleg support section, the second upper leg support section being coupledwith the second lower leg support section for movement relative therebetween, whereby a length of the second leg support may be varied; (b) afoot platform for receiving and supporting a foot of a person for use ofthe stilt, the first upper leg support section being connected to thefoot platform for rotational movement about a first upper pivot axis,the second upper leg support section being connected to the footplatform for rotational movement about a second upper pivot axis, thesecond upper pivot axis being disposed in parallel relation to the firstupper pivot axis; (c) a base for engaging and supporting the stilt upona floor, the first lower leg support section being connected to the basefor rotational movement about a first lower pivot axis, the second lowerleg support section being connected to the base for rotational movementabout a second lower pivot axis, the second lower pivot axis beingdisposed in parallel relation to the first lower pivot axis, the firstupper pivot axis, and the second upper pivot axis; and (d) aresiliently-biased catch securing the first upper leg support sectionagainst movement relative to the first lower leg support section,whereby the length of the first leg support is fixed.
 2. The stilt ofclaim 1, wherein the catch comprises a rod and wherein the first upperleg support section and the first lower leg support section includecorresponding openings through which the rod extends in securing thefirst upper leg support section against movement relative to the firstlower leg support section.
 3. The stilt of claim 2, wherein the firstupper leg support section and the first lower leg support sectioninclude a plurality of corresponding openings through which the rod mayextend in securing the first upper leg support section against movementrelative to the first lower leg support section, whereby the first legsupport may be fixed in different respective lengths.
 4. The stilt ofclaim 1, wherein each of the leg support sections is tubular.
 5. Thestilt of claim 1, wherein the first lower leg support section isreceived within the first upper leg support section.
 6. The stilt ofclaim 5, wherein the second lower leg support section is received withinthe second upper leg support section.
 7. The stilt of claim 6, whereinthe movement between the lower leg support sections and the upper legsupport sections is sliding movement.
 8. The stilt of claim 1, whereinthe first and second upper leg support sections are coupled with thefirst and second lower leg support sections for sliding movementrelative there between.
 9. The stilt of claim 1, further comprising apre-tensioned cable connected to the resiliently-biased catch forcontrolling movement of the resiliently-biased catch.
 10. The stilt ofclaim 9, further comprising a flexible jacket in concentric surroundingrelation to the cable, wherein the cable is capable of independentmovement relative to the flexible jacket.
 11. The stilt of claim 1,further comprising a release member movable between first and secondpositions, the release member being operatively connected to theresiliently-biased catch for controlling movement of theresiliently-biased catch with movement of the release member between thefirst and second positions.
 12. The stilt of claim 11, furthercomprising a pre-tensioned cable having a first end connected to theresiliently-biased catch and having a second end connected to therelease member, wherein the pre-tensioned cable facilitates operativecommunication between the resiliently-biased catch and the releasemember.
 13. The stilt of claim 1, further comprising a calf supportextending from the first upper leg support section in a direction awayfrom the base, the calf support for providing stability to a personusing the stilt.
 14. The stilt of claim 13, wherein the foot platformincludes opposed ends and opposed sides each side having an extentgreater than the opposed ends, and wherein the calf support is disposedadjacent one of the ends of the foot platform so as to extend adjacentthe back of a leg of a person using the stilt.
 15. The stilt of claim13, wherein the foot platform includes opposed ends and opposed sideseach side having an extent greater than the opposed ends, and whereinthe calf support is disposed adjacent one of the sides of the footplatform so as to extend adjacent the side of a leg of a person usingthe stilt.
 16. The stilt of claim 15, further comprising a releasemember movable between first and second positions, the release memberbeing operatively connected to the resiliently-biased catch forcontrolling movement of the resiliently-biased catch with movement ofthe release member between the first and second positions, the releasemember being mounted proximate a terminal end of the calf support distalthe foot platform so as to permit convenient operation of the releasemember by a person using the stilt.
 17. The stilt of claim 16, furthercomprising a pre-tensioned cable having a first end connected to theresiliently-biased catch and having a second end connected to therelease member, wherein the pre-tensioned cable facilitates operativecommunication between the resiliently-biased catch and the releasemember.
 18. The stilt of claim 17, wherein a portion of thepre-tensioned cable extends within and is sheathed by the calf support.19. A stilt, comprising: (a) a support frame, comprising, (i) a firstleg support having a first upper leg support section and a firstelongate lower leg support section, the first upper leg support sectionbeing coupled with the first lower leg support section for movementrelative there between, whereby a length of the first leg support may bevaried, and (ii) a second leg support positioned in parallel relation tothe first leg support and having a second upper leg support section anda second lower leg support section, the second upper leg support sectionbeing coupled with the second lower leg support section for movementrelative there between, whereby a length of the second leg support maybe varied; (b) a foot platform for receiving and supporting a foot of aperson for use of the stilt, the first upper leg support section beingconnected to the foot platform for rotational movement about a firstupper pivot axis, the second upper leg support section being connectedto the foot platform for rotational movement about a second upper pivotaxis, the second upper pivot axis being disposed in parallel relation tothe first upper pivot axis; (c) a base for engaging and supporting thestilt upon a floor, the first lower leg support section being connectedto the base for rotational movement about a first lower pivot axis, thesecond lower leg support section being connected to the base forrotational movement about a second lower pivot axis, the second lowerpivot axis being disposed in parallel relation to the first lower pivotaxis, the first upper pivot axis, and the second upper pivot axis; (d) afirst catch movable between, (i) an engaged position in which the firstcatch secures the first upper leg support section against movementrelative to the first lower leg support section, whereby the length ofthe first leg support is fixed, and (ii) a disengaged position in whichthe first catch does not secure the first upper leg support sectionagainst movement relative to the first lower leg support section; (e) asecond catch movable between, (i) an engaged position in which thesecond catch secures the second upper leg support section againstmovement relative to the second lower leg support section, whereby thelength of the second leg support is fixed, and (ii) a disengagedposition in which the second catch does not secure the second upper legsupport section against movement relative to the second lower legsupport section; and (f) a release member movable between first andsecond positions, the release member being operatively connected to thefirst catch for moving the first catch between the engaged anddisengaged positions with movement of the release member between thefirst and second positions, and the release member further beingoperatively connected to the second catch for moving the second catchbetween the engaged and disengaged positions with movement of therelease member between the first and second positions.
 20. The stilt ofclaim 19, wherein the release member is operatively connected to thefirst catch by a first pre-tensioned cable and wherein the releasemember is operatively connected to the second catch by a secondpre-tensioned cable, and wherein the first pre-tensioned cable isconcentrically disposed within a first flexible jacket and the secondpre-tensioned cable is concentrically disposed within a second flexiblejacket.